A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of Reilly's Role Overload Scale

In 1982, Reilly developed a 13-item scale to measure role overload. This scale has been widely used, but most studies did not assess the unidimensionality of the scale. Given the significance of unidimensionality in scale development, the current study reports a confirmatory factor analysis of the 13-item scale in two samples. Based on the results, a 6-item unidimensional scale is recommended. Scores from this scale correlate in predicted fashion with external criterion variables related to role overload.